The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has announced the HPV vaccine will now be delivered as a single dose from September, following updated advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation.
A single dose provides robust protect against HPV that is comparable to two doses. The vaccine helps to prevent HPV-related cancers, including cervical, head, neck and anal cancer.
The NHS’s routine HPV vaccination programme for all children in year eight will move from two doses to one from September. Eligible gay and bisexual men under the age of 25 (who missed out on vaccination when the programme was just for girls) will also move to a single dose. However, those who are eligible and living with HIV (young people and gay or bisexual men under 45) will continue to be get three doses.
The move brings England in line with other countries such as Scotland and Australia.
Richard Angell, Chief Executive of HIV / sexual health charity Terrence Higgins Trust, said: “The life-saving HPV vaccination programme has had a huge impact in driving down rates of both HPV-related warts and HPV-related cancers, including cervical cancer. In fact, rates of HPV-related warts have fallen by two-thirds in the last 10 years.
“It’s great news that the same robust protection will be delivered as a single jab from September to protect all young people before they start having sex, as well as gay and bisexual men under 25.
“It’s fantastic to see this proactive, evidence-based decision being made and implemented. This now needs to become a blueprint for other aspects of sexual health to improve and expand access to services and sexual health care. Because, while HPV is a success story, the nation’s sexual health is in a dire state which is exacerbating sexual and reproductive health inequalities.”
